Month: May 2016

The dream is free but the hustle is sold separately. And this time the hustle is last minute tickets to Switzerland. Gonna escape this mess* for a week and maybe come back with a new job.

It’s funny how easily the dream can surprise you. To open up a bit, I’ll now tell you that the last months I’ve been actively looking for jobs in Switzerland (and keeping that Austria as the plan B). But it wasn’t before I was called for interview that I realized how good, almost perfect, place that country feels for me. Somehow it all clicked on that moment – the Heidi books and films of childhood, the couple of months in Austria back in 2008, the cheese, the wine, the Swiss neighbors in Norway and the after ski’s in Engelberg. The funny interest in Swiss German (which I really want plan to learn) and the unexplainable call of the mountains.

I was born and raised in a small town between two lakes. And now I’m going to a town between two lakes, Interlaken. So it’s gonna be both exciting and familiar. And I’d be laying if I wouldn’t be scared. If I’d say it goes easily. No. Moving abroad, starting new, playing all your cards at once; it’s always frightening and many times harder than staying still. But having jumped into unknown many times I now know almost all the good and bad in it (next big challenge for me would be to try another continent) and should know how to survive. And if I slip into thinking (most of the times tired and out of money) how nice it would be to take the comfortable, to not go for the unknown 100%, I try to think all the people who doesn’t have the possibilities I have. Who’d risk their life for all the freedom, privileges and possibilities I have; the things which make it possible for me to so easily book tickets to Switzerland and fly away. To try and either succeed or fail. And if I fail, there’s still place for me to come back to. I can do my best and do my part. And you know what? There hasn’t been a possibility I’d backed off, and chosen the comfort rather than the great unknown.

I’m brave but I think I’m still not as brave as I could be. White woman’s burden and all that. You’ve come a long way, baby, but basically that’s just what you were made for. Dream big and be grateful.

And drink wine when there’s a good reason. Be it Switzerland, Friday or something else.

Santé !

*I hate moving. So let’s not talk about it. Let’s just say it’s there but there’s no, absolutely zero, need to make a fuss about it. Only when (keep on dreaming girl) I finally have money to keep a house (cabin, please) in a Finnish countryside (Lapland, near airport) too. Then we can talk how nice it is to pack and unpack the bags over and over.

Hipp hipp hurra ! Gratulerer med dagen ! It’s the 17th of May, also known as the Norwegian National Day.

On May 17 in 1814 the constitution of Norway was signed in Eidsvoll. The constitution declared Norway to be an independent kingdom and the election of Crown Prince Christian Frederik as the King of independent Norway, following Denmark-Norway’s defeat in the Napoleonic Wars.

On a day like this I’d like to express en stor takk till Norge; to thank you, Norway, for all the great things you’re given me. For the confidence (something to do with the Viking attitude I think), for home, for great love (little did I know, when taking that picture above, of what a meaning those hoods would play in my life later on), for the life lessons (nothing worth having comes easy), for the fish and the fjells and the sea etc. And all the experiences and great people I wouldn’t have met without you. You’re expensive, but definitely worth it. I must have been Norwegian in my previous life (well, our whole outdoors and nordic skiing crazy family could be).

Staying true to the theme of this spring, my initial plan to spend 17. Mai in Norway didn’t work out in the end (so my only 17th of May experience this far is the one 4 years ago in Trondheim – it was raining cats and dogs, I had high fever and the next morning I left Trondheim and haven’t been back since; personally not very cheerful one, but still one of the best happenings I’ve ever experienced). Nevertheless, thinking fondly of Norway and celebrating the day some way or other – maybe make a kveldstur and enjoy akvavit.

And that nostalgia trip to Trondheim is still coming; just postponed it a bit. It didn’t happen now but it will happen, sooner or later, after which I’ll share with you my favorites of that city. So stay tuned, take care and remember to celebrate, whatever the reason! And go to Norway. Always go.

Welcome to a life with so many failed plans and attempts that suddenly, in the middle of all the hustle and struggle, 37k alpine trail runs seems the best idea ever; an easy challenge.

So when you see the promo, click the link and send email late in the evening, you may wake up the next morning to the news that you’re basically secured your place as a trail scout for the GORE-TEX® TRANSALPINE-RUN 2016 on the 9th July, like I just did.

I’ve run half marathon, couple of Lidingöloppet 30k’s and thanks to active life in general, I should have the basic skills needed to go through this challenge successfully. Nevertheless I’d be lying if I’d say I wouldn’t have been scared as f* when I realised what I just did. Mainly because the logistical problems; I’m not sure if I have the money and means to find my way to the start location, accommodation and boarding… Whoops! (Have I already said how much I dream of that “normal” summer holiday?) Also, I don’t think my Inov’s would survive a long run more, not to mention that they aren’t the ideal pair for alpine terrain…

Well, if there’s a way I’ll find it. But I wouldn’t mind if someone would like to help me along the way. You have any advice to give; what to wear, what kind of shoes, what to drink? Or maybe you’d like me to test and review something along the way; to give feedback and ideas for development? Gear, sunscreen (I’m a very white chick), accommodation in Tirol, around Sölden / St. Leonhard ? Sustainable, responsible practices ? If any of these ring a bell, please do contact me. I’d be more than happy to help and collaborate with you to make more dreams come true.

Initial thought was to combine this run with some active weeks/weekends in the Alps before and after the event, since the week before I’ll be close by* in Germany for my friend’s birthday and since I’m still dreaming of spending my entire summer near the Alps training muscles and languages… Running, biking, making many kinds of adventures. And stopping for edelweiss for a change. But we’ll see how that works out; this process has proved to be more difficult than optimistic me thought it would be. Luckily I like challenges though.

Easy? the edge is never easy; but it’s where we grow; it takes dedication and it takes willpower; maybe it will hurt; but it will be worth it; together we get out of our own way; truly listening, learning from each other; together we become better, grow stronger; in a movement, we are in a moment;